How large do Aldabra giant tortoises grow?

They can reach a carapace length of up to 138cm, making them the world's second-largest living tortoise species. Males tend to grow larger than females.

What is their lifespan?

They typically live around 100 years, and some individuals in captivity have lived even longer. A very long-term care commitment is required.

Are they suitable for beginners?

This species is generally considered suitable for advanced keepers. Given their size, environmental needs, and long lifespan, prospective owners should have solid knowledge and experience before bringing one home.

What is their temperament like?

They are highly social and tend to live in groups rather than alone. They are also known to recognize companions and keepers and to distinguish between colors.

Are Aldabra giant tortoises subject to CITES?

Aldabra Giant Tortoise is listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade requires a permit from the exporting country, but as far as CITES is concerned, no registration is needed to buy or sell individuals already legally in Japan.

Aldabra Giant Tortoise

The Aldabra giant tortoise is the world's second-largest living tortoise species, with an impressively dignified build that can reach a carapace length of up to 138cm. Its carapace is a calm solid black or blackish-brown, and it dislikes heat, preferring to spend its time resting in the shade. Rather than living alone, it favors group living, and it's known for recognizing the faces of companions and keepers alike and for distinguishing between colors. With a typical lifespan of around 100 years, this tortoise becomes a lifelong companion that combines great responsibility with great appeal.

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Aldabra Giant Tortoise key facts

Care level: Advanced
Lifespan: Commonly reaches 100 years, and captive animals have lived longer
Size: Carapace up to 138cm, with males larger than females
Temperature
Diet: Grasses and sedges, young shoots and leaves of shrubs, vegetables and fruit
Temperature & Humidity: Provide a basking spot at one end of the enclosure at about 32 C with an ambient temperature of about 27 C. A mercury vapour lamp is convenient because it supplies both UVB and heat. The species suffers in heat, so outdoor enclosures need shade, misting and a wallow.
Enclosure: It grows to 138 cm and needs a very large area, so it is unsuited to an ordinary home. It is a social animal, and keeping several together demands still more space and more than one basking area.
Diet & Feeding: Mainly herbivorous, eating grasses and sedges and the young shoots and leaves of shrubs. A one-sided diet in early life leads to bone and shell problems as the tortoise grows fast, so offer a wide range of plants with plenty of fibre.
Temperament: Placid and tames well, and intelligent enough to be target-trained. In the breeding season males mount one another to assert dominance.
Notes: The tortoise was covered by the Appendix II listings of Geochelone from 1975 and of Testudinidae from 1977, the current listing effective 2 January 2017. Appendix II species need no individual registration certificate in Japan, and it is neither a designated dangerous animal nor an invasive alien species. Seychelles has banned commercial trade in Aldabra-caught animals since 1980 and sets export quotas for animals from other islands.

TraitsTortoiseSeychellesGiant speciesCITES IITurtle

About Aldabra Giant Tortoise

The Aldabra giant tortoise is the world's second-largest living tortoise species, reaching a carapace length of up to 138cm. Highly social with strong memory, and typically living around 100 years, it's considered an advanced-level pet.

7 things to know before welcoming a Aldabra Giant Tortoise

1Needs Ample Space
Aldabra giant tortoises can reach a carapace length of up to 138cm, so they require a spacious outdoor area with plenty of land and shelter. Plan for their eventual size from the very beginning.
2Dislikes Heat, Needs Shade
These tortoises dislike intense heat and need shaded areas or shelters to retreat to at all times. Year-round temperature management is essential.
3Highly Social by Nature
They tend to live in groups rather than alone and feel most settled when interacting with others. Many keepers choose to house more than one together.
4Notably Intelligent
Aldabra giant tortoises are known to recognize companions and keepers and can distinguish between colors. Getting to know each individual's personality is part of the appeal.
5Remarkably Long-Lived
Their lifespan typically reaches around 100 years, and some captive individuals live even longer. Prospective owners should plan for the possibility that the tortoise will outlive them.
6Advanced-Level Care
Given their size, environmental needs, and long-term care requirements, this species is considered suitable for advanced keepers. Be sure you have the knowledge, experience, and setup ready before bringing one home.
7Plan for Continued Growth
Males tend to grow larger than females, so housing and feeding plans should account for their eventual large adult size. Think through a long-term care plan before adoption.

Frequently asked questions about Aldabra Giant Tortoise

Q.How large do Aldabra giant tortoises grow?: A.They can reach a carapace length of up to 138cm, making them the world's second-largest living tortoise species. Males tend to grow larger than females.
Q.What is their lifespan?: A.They typically live around 100 years, and some individuals in captivity have lived even longer. A very long-term care commitment is required.
Q.Are they suitable for beginners?: A.This species is generally considered suitable for advanced keepers. Given their size, environmental needs, and long lifespan, prospective owners should have solid knowledge and experience before bringing one home.
Q.What is their temperament like?: A.They are highly social and tend to live in groups rather than alone. They are also known to recognize companions and keepers and to distinguish between colors.
Q.Are Aldabra giant tortoises subject to CITES?: A.Aldabra Giant Tortoise is listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade requires a permit from the exporting country, but as far as CITES is concerned, no registration is needed to buy or sell individuals already legally in Japan.